Tips to Avoid Business Stress

The business consultants at Global Resources have the expertise to help entrepreneurs launch small businesses. Starting a business is a huge commitment that can reap many long-term rewards. If you’re looking to become a business owner, we can help put you on the path to success.

If you’ve recently launched a business, you may have realized it’s common to feel overwhelmed.  Below are tips to help you avoid the unnecessary stress!

1. Don’t let the first failure stop your progress - Entrepreneurs almost always face setbacks: a pitch gets rejected, a client gives negative feedback or a new digital product flops. But they keep going, because they know that one rejection doesn't mean their contributions are worthless. Instead, they take it as proof that they are trying something new and taking risks, some of which are bound to fail.
2. Don’t think you're earning too little to make a difference - Many entrepreneurs make what seems like small amounts of cash on a weekly or monthly basis.  You need to give your business time to grow.  Even micro-businesses represent new opportunities and potential.
3. Don’t overinvest in startup costs- It's easy to plow savings into a new business before it's even launched: a beautiful website, a professional marketing plan, trips to conferences and new certifications. But before investing a cent, successful entrepreneurs often first look for ways to bring in revenue to offset those costs, while simultaneously testing the market. That might mean offering nutrition consulting services before setting up a new website, or selling an e-book through Amazon or another existing e-commerce channel before printing paperback versions.
4. Don’t work too hard for too little- When entrepreneurs are first starting out, they sometimes make the mistake of undercharging for their services, or setting up a business model that would require a 100-hour-a-week schedule to earn a living wage. Simply charging more for products and services can signal quality to potential buyers. Testing the market to see what it can bear, and checking out competitors' prices, can help entrepreneurs avoid starting too low.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business consultants at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266. 

Steps to Start a Concrete Construction Business

Global Resources is known for expertise in many industries, including concrete construction. Starting a concrete construction company is a dream that is achievable for those individuals who have experience in this segment of the contracting sector of the marketplace, but are not sure where to begin. If you’re looking to start such a business, we have general tips that may help you:

• Apply for a Concrete Business License - Securing a license is one of the most important administrative matters pertaining to your business. Together with business name registration, paper work should be taken care of before you start operating your company. It is best to go to the local authorities and fulfill the requirements as soon as possible.
• Source Materials -One of the foundations of your business will be the materials you will use for your concrete. It is advisable to make a survey of the companies that supplies materials, including the prices. Select a supplier that offers the best price and the quality you need. Getting inferior quality materials simply because it is the lowest available price will result on costly re-work and dissatisfied customers who can quickly drive away new business with the advent of online customer feedback. 
• Select a Location -Accessibility is the foremost consideration in finding the right place for your concrete company business. It must be both convenient for your customers and for delivery of materials in and out of your location. It also must be big enough to store materials at the same time serves as a workplace for your employees.
• Hiring Employees - Administrative staff and field workers are the different types of employees you will need to hire. Hire administrative staff who are diligent, efficient and literate in every administrative task. On the other hand, the workers must be both skilled and professional. You can directly hire employees or contact a hiring and placement firm to assist you in finding the right people for your business.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business consultants at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266. 

Preparing for a Small Business Loan

Global Resources is a full-service business development group and general management consulting firm focused on small and medium-size privately-held companies in North America. We help business owners prepare for the challenging process of applying for a small business loan. This is extremely important as preparation can make all the difference in whether a company receives the funding they desire.  

If you’re a small business owner looking to secure a business loan, here are tips that can be beneficial:

• Don’t limit your options – Research and make a list of five potential lenders and start at your first choice.  If approved for a loan, continue to shop the market for the best rate.  If declined, keep trying!  Too often, mostly due to lack of time, business owners stop at the first or second negative response.  Be prepared to seek a loan from a minimum of five lenders.  And learn from your mistakes.  If one lender turns you down for one reason or another, learn from this feedback and adjust your approach with the next lender.
• Be prepared to share all of your financial information – Provide your lender with all the financial background on your company, future growth plans and, often, your personal financial information.  By offering this information up front, it will allow a bank to gain an understanding of your complete financial situation and it will ultimately reduce the time to finalize your loan package.
• Provide detailed information—Show exactly how you will use the requested funds and how much you need to accomplish your goals.  Lenders appreciate attention to detail and preparedness when it comes to the facts. 
• Seek out assistance with the SBA— The Small Business Administration is a great resource for small businesses.  The more you know about the products that are available for your unique situation, the better your chances are at securing a yes response to your application.  Visit www.sba.gov, to learn more about SBA loans.
• Look locally- Community lenders are often best equipped to appreciate how your company works within the local business environment opposed to big financial institutions.  

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266. 

Reasons to Plan a Business Exit

Global Resources is a full-service business development group and general management consulting firm focused on small and medium-size privately-held companies in North America.  

At Global Resources LLC, we recognize that some small business owners plan an exit early on while others question why they may need an exit strategy. Below are some examples why savvy business owners plan an exit:

• Outside investors want to collect their profit. Remember that equity investments are not like loans with interest. The investor sees no return until he cashes out, or the company is sold. Three to five years can be a long time to wait for any pay check for reimbursement. 
• Family member is ready to takeover. Some of the most successful transition plans are between current and future generations in a family business.  The plan may include provision for the current management to one day relinquish control and management, allowing the new generation to pursue their own plans and strategies for the business. 
• Entrepreneurs love the art of the start. Assuming your startup takes off, you will probably find that the fun is gone by the time you reach 50 employees, or a few million in revenue. The job changes from creating a “work of art” to operating a “cookie cutter.” In three to five years, you will be anxious to start a new entity, with new ideas and spinoffs that have built up in your mind, and certainty that you can avoid all those potholes you hit the first time around. If your startup was less than a success, you’ll definitely want to erase it from memory.

To learn more about us and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266. 

Why Small Business Owners are Launching Mobile Apps

A growing number of small businesses are interested in integrating mobile apps for their customers.  Mobile technology grows and evolves daily, which creates immense opportunities for small and medium-size businesses.  In fact, having a mobile app is becoming a common component of the mobile marketing strategy behind many smart business owners.

If you’re wondering why your small business would want to launch an app, the business pros at Global Resources have information for you:

1. Engage with your customers. Mobile apps give small and medium-size businesses the opportunity to interact with customers in real time with valuable information on location and other demographics through user profiles. Effective apps produce an engaged customer, which often turns into a paying customer.
2. Promote your products and services. Marketing research has shown that customers perceive companies that offer mobile apps more positively than those that don't. In addition to promoting your brand, an app can also help showcase products and services that drive sales. 
3. Market your business in multiple ways. Apps can help you bring together multiple marketing tactics and make them all work more effectively in your favor, including recognizing and rewarding customers. You can also use your app to communicate with customers at any time, no matter where they are. 
4. Expand your customer base. You may already have a traditional site but trends are increasingly moving toward mobile search and browsing.  Companies that don't offer mobile apps and responsive design sites appealing to the mobile medium could quickly become obsolete in our mobile savvy market. Mobile apps, especially those integrated with social media, can also reach a younger demographic that might otherwise never encounter your business.
5. Boost revenue. Building purchasing capabilities into your mobile app ensures customers can buy what they need from you at any time. Your app can include a product catalog, ordering and reservation capabilities — so if customers are away from their PC, they can order what they need and pay for it from their mobile devices.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266. 

Improving Employee Morale in Your Business

At Global Resources, we navigate the way for your success.  In fact, every member of our team is dedicated to being the most impactful partner you will ever have.  When you partner with us, you will immediately see that we emphasize building employee relationships to create unity and reduce retention.

If employee morale is important to you, there are many ways to increase company satisfaction in the workplace.  Below we have six tips that can be intertwined into any business.  

1. Be transparent - Employees need to feel confident discussing everything with you — even the negative news.  
2. Understand individual employees – A business leader must ensure every team member is being as productive as possible, even if you have to treat everyone a little differently to do so. The more effective you are at flexing your managing style, the more effectively your employees will carry out their assignments.
3. Constant feedback – Employees today want regular feedback on performance.  Long gone are annual reviews.  Instead, real-time feedback helps foster growth and helps employees meet goals. 
4. Relinquish some control – At times, employees want to be the ones in control. Encourage your workers to come up with their own ideas and support their creative endeavors. 
5. Provide room to grow - A significant factor in increasing company morality is to make sure employees understand their chances in upward mobility. Growing professionally decreases frustration and adds a sense of personal satisfaction. 
6. Offer motivation- Incentives often contribute to employees feeling appreciated and motivated.  Incorporating things like free lunch, half-day off, relaxed dress code or gift cards can increase employee satisfaction in the workplace.

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the renowned business experts at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266. 

Online Reputation Management for Entrepreneurs

At Global Resources, we are helping business owners take control of how the online world views their business, which ultimately protects your growth. 

Consumers turn to the Web to research practically everything before they buy, and one blistering review on Yelp can go viral and undo everything you’ve worked to achieve. Worse, its effects can haunt your bottom line for years. Managing your reputation is something you can’t afford to ignore.

Blogs, forums and anonymous review sites can give consumers a strong voice, which can be helpful to your business. However, they can also attract commenters and reviewers who may be acting at the behest of your competitors. Unless you actively monitor and manage your business reputation, you clear the way for other people to step in and control your story.

Here are some expert tips for business owners to protect their online reputation:

• Prioritize the internet - Your business may not rely on the Internet, but your customers—and your competitors—go online. As a business owner, you must know what is being said about your brand.  The first step is to do a bit of online research yourself. Google both your name and your company’s name to see what comes up. 
• Understand what is in your control - You can’t control what people say about you on third-party review sites. Instead, focus on improving your ranking in Google search results. Post useful articles and helpful content on your website, blog and/or social media pages. Share your expertise and make yourself a trusted resource for your customers. It may take some time, but the results will be worth your effort.
• Safeguard your reputation - You could pay a reputation management company, or you can utilize free tools and services to help you track your company’s reputation. Google Alerts, TweetBeep, Naymz, Social Mention, and MonitorThis are but a few examples.  

To learn more and / or to schedule your complimentary appointment with the business experts at Global Resources LLC, call us at 855-338-0266.